Borneo Birding Tour
Borneo Birding Tour Overview – From unique wildlife to untouched jungle, few places can match the natural drama and exceptional birding in Borneo.
‘Selamat datang!’ Welcome to Borneo! A very memorable birding and wildlife experience awaits you on our Borneo Birding tour!
Borneo island boasts almost 15,000 species of flowering plants (including Rafflesia, the largest flowering plant in the world) along with 3,000 species of trees, 440 species of freshwater fish, almost 300 reptilian species, 280 species of mammals and almost 700 species of resident and migratory birds (including over 60 endemic and range-restricted species, and 200 endemic subspecies). Borneo shares some of its resident forest birds with Indochina, but amazingly Australian and African influences are also evident.
The WWF has classified the island into seven distinct ecoregions, including montane and lowland rainforests, mangrove swamp forests, as well as peat swamp forests on the entire coastline. The rainforests are especially important, and at an estimated 140 million years old, is said to be the oldest such forest in the world.
Some fantastic and utterly unique species inhabit these ancient forests and the island’s other ecoregions. These include Bornean Orangutan, Bornean Bristlehead, 9 species of barbet, 16 different woodpeckers, 8 broadbill species, Sumatran Rhinoceros, 6 species of trogon, 8 different hornbills, 10 stunning pitta species, Bornean Clouded Leopard, along with some truly bizarre but wonderful flora and smaller fauna species.
With breathtaking natural attractions, friendly local people, amazing wildlife, delicious food and of course incredible birds, Borneo is a favourite for everyone who visits it.
Let’s go birding in Borneo!
| Safari starts and ends in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Province | Comfortable, mid-range |
| Duration | 14 Days |
| Departure dates | August 2027 |
Top Birds
Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Crimson-headed and Red-breasted Partridge, Rhinoceros-, Helmeted-, Wrinkled and Wreathed Hornbill, Black, White-crowned and Oriental Pied Hornbill, Whitehead’s, Diard’s and Orange-breasted Trogon, Scarlet-rumped and Red-naped Trogon, Golden-naped, Mountain and Bornean Barbet, Blue-headed, Bornean Banded and Giant Pitta, Black-crowned, Blue-banded and Hooded Pitta, Whitehead’s, Hose’s and Green Broadbill, Banded and Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Everett’s Thrush, Whitehead’s and Bornean Spiderhunter, Fruithunter, Black-sided Flowerpecker, Bornean Whistler, Friendly Bush Warbler
Top Mammals
Bornean Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, Asian (“Bornean Pygmy”) Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros (with lots of luck), Sun Bear, Sunda Clouded Leopard, Leopard Cat, Hose’s Civet
Highlights and Top attractions
• Kinabalu National Park – Protects mythical Mount Kinabalu, along with over 320 bird species that often travel in spectacular feeding parties.
• Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve – Virgin equatorial rainforest that is home to Bornean Orangutans, Sun Bears, rare plants and some spectacular avian wonders.
• Tabin Wildlife Reserve -Stunning lowland rainforests brimming with endangered mammals and 42 different bird families
• Danum Valley Conservation Area -Unspoiled wilderness area with vast numbers of fauna and flora, including 270 bird species, and another top class lodge.
Optional Activities
• Night game drive in Tabin Wildlife Reserve
• Night excursion in Danum Valley Conservation Area
Summary of day to day Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrival in Borneo |
| Day 2-4 | Kinabalu National Park |
| Day 5 | Poring & Sepilok |
| Day 6 | Rainforest Discovery Center |
| Day 7 | Sepilok to Kinabatangan River |
| Day 8 | Kinabatangan River |
| Day 9 | Kinabantang River to Tabin Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 10 | Tabin Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 11 | Tabin to Danum Valley |
| Day 12-13 | Danum Valley |
| Day 14 | Depart |